Melbourne City face test of title credentials at Western Sydney Wanderers

It's shaping as a milestone season for high-riding Melbourne City, and while every game is a test, Friday night's visit to top of the table Western Sydney Wanderers is the stiffest examination yet of the title credentials of John van 't Schip's side.

The freewheeling City have lost only once in their last ten outings and have climbed to second spot on the ladder on the back of their fluent attacking play. Their wins include a narrow, if controversial, one over the Wanderers earlier in January when the Sydney side had a goal disallowed before City's Harry Novillo struck late with the winner in a five-goal thriller at AAMI Park.

City took the points the last time the two teams met. Photo: Getty Images

This time, the odds are weighted in favour of Tony Popovic's team.

City only played on Monday night, when they saw off Wellington 3-1 in Melbourne, while the Wanderers have had two days extra rest since their 2-1 win over Central Coast on Saturday evening.

City have to travel, while the Wanderers will feel at home in front of a large crowd which creates a tremendous, partisan atmosphere.

But van 't Schip has faith in his squad – he is only adding Jack Clisby, suspended from the Wellington game – and believes that with the strong core of experience provided by men like goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, centre backs Aaron Hughes and Patrick Kisnorbo and striker Bruno Fornaroli, they will certainly not be intimidated by the venue or the high stakes nature of this game. A win will take City top, while a defeat would see them slip five points behind the Wanderers with 10 games remaining.

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"It's No.2 against No.1. We haven't played a one v two game in the history of the club. For us it's great to be in that position, it's what we work for," said van 't Schip.

"The only difference is that it's a short turnaround. The week has been more about recovery and getting players ready for the game.

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"We are happy to be playing again (quickly).We are in a good vibe after the game, we are heading with the same squad up to Sydney. You can look at it both ways – I always enjoyed playing a lot, Sunday, Wednesday, Sunday," he added, referring to his own days in the Dutch Eredvisie and Italy's Serie A.

City have split the points in their two games with Western Sydney this season, both in Melbourne, although they have been vastly different contests.

"The first time we got played off the park, the second time was a really good contest, both teams had their moments and we got the win.

"The ambience of the ground (in Parramatta) is always electric (but) we have got players that are used to those situations. They should enjoy those places, and go out there and have it lift you in your performance."

All three of City's new outfield signings got game time against Wellington, with Anthony Caceres starting in a deeper midfield position alongside Erik Paartalu and Osama Malik and Nick Fitzgerald coming off the bench.

Caceres is usually known as a more attacking player, so van 't Schip was pleased with the way he dropped in alongside normal anchorman Paartalu.

"Anthony was very disciplined in the way he played, and that's what the formation asks, those two have to be disciplined and controlled."

Paartalu has completed something of a rehabilitation in van 't Schip's eyes as the team has gone on its barnstorming run.

Earlier in the season, when City was struggling, Paartalu was dropped and the manager publicly criticised him for not delivering what was expected.

The tall, imposing midfielder knuckled down and has answered that criticism in the best possible manner, by forcing his way back into the starting line up – something that, says van 't Schip, he expected him to do.

"I am not surprised, it's a reaction the player should have. Erik is clearly working on that. He's been playing regularly. it's part of getting a strong group together, it's competition, it's about the performance of the team."

The transfer window remains open for a few more days yet, but the Dutchman suggested that no more signings were on the cards.

"I think we have got in the players that we wanted. We knew we had to reinforce with certain players, we are happy with the players we got in. In their first week they have really integrated in a good way."

The Wanderers have been the benchmark for the bulk of the season, and van 't Schip is full of respect for what Popovic has achieved in turning his team around after a nightmare 2014-15 A-League campaign when they finished near the foot of the table.

"As a team they are playing good football. They have changed the way they play, they are now very much possession based, they are very dangerous with (Romeo) Castelen, (Mitch) Nichols, (Dario) Vidosic and (Mark) Bridge.

"In the midfield they have very intelligent players with Andreu and Dimas, and the centre backs (Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Alberto Aguilar) are solid, with the full backs (Scott Jamieson and Scott Neville) going forward, its a nice team to watch, they have made really good steps but we have done that as well."

He is particularly wary of the the threat that former Dutch international Castelen can pose.

"You can find solutions, but he is a dangerous player. He's intelligent himself, finds pockets and ways to be dangerous. We have to make sure he doesn't get space and time."

KEY MATCH-UPS

Bruno Fornaroli v Nikolai Topor-Stanley

The Uruguayan striker is on fire, with 13 goals in 16 starts this season. His technique, smarts and eye for goal make him a tough opponent for any centre back. The experienced Topor-Stanley will have to be wary of his quick feet and his high workrate

Mitch Nichols v Aaron Mooy

Nichols was on the way to having the sort of breakout season Mooy is having when he was at Melbourne Victory two years ago. His progress was derailed by a move to Japan, but after an A-League reintroduction with Perth he has really hit his straps again with the Wanderers, where he is providing goals and inspiration from midfield. Mooy is the creative fulcrum at City, and he not only sets up Fornaroli and Harry Novillo, but weighs in with set pieces and shots from distance himself.

Ivan Franjic and Michael Zullo v Scott Neville and Scott Jamieson

Both teams love their full backs to push forward, and since City switched to a 3-5-2 set up they have looked threatening every time they get the ball and push on in wide areas, with Socceroos Franjic and Zullo providing support to the attack, pace and dynamism on the flanks. Neville and Jamieson have done a similar job for the Wanderers, so this should be a fascinating contest.

A-LEAGUE - ROUND 17

SATURDAY

Phoenix v MarinersChristchurch Stadium, 5.15pm Luis Garcia impressed with his cameo in his Mariners debut off the bench last week, while Portuguese attacker Fabio Ferreira has quietly scored three goals in their past four, and could combine to give the last-placed Mariners a win against a side missing suspended pair Vince Lia and Andrew Durante. Still, if the Phoenix consider themselves any chance of keeping tabs on the top six, they'll have to grab all three points in what is the start of an important two-game home stand.Tip: Draw

Sydney FC v Roar Allianz Stadium, 7.30pm John Aloisi will be quietly thanking the heavens Olyroos Jamie Maclaren and Brandon Borrello are back. Brisbane have sorely lacked potency up front without the attacking duo, managing a single goal and no wins in the three matches they've been gone. The pair will come in handy against Sydney's infamous defence, given Graham Arnold knows how to shut down attacking teams just like this. Sydney's Olyroos trio are also back in contention to help with the short turnaround from Australia Day's Big Blue, though Andrew Hoole did have a little run off the bench.Tip: Draw

Glory v Victory nib Stadium, 9.40pm Having rediscovered their attacking mojo since the New Year and, after squeezing past Sydney FC in a tight Big Blue on Australia Day, Kevin Muscat's men face a suddenly in-form Perth, fresh from their annihilation of Newcastle. The Glory won't be able to field new signing Adam Taggart until next season but another important recruit, fringe Socceroos defender Shane Lowry, is in line for his first appearance. This is a key game for both teams with defending champions the Victory having slipped to fourth, while Perth remain seven points outside the top six despite their recent upturn in results.Tip: Victory

SUNDAY

Adelaide v Jets Coopers Stadium, 5pm It took a while but Guillermo Amor's plans for the Reds seem to have clicked into place. They're only four points adrift of the five teams who have largely dominated the A-League this season and should draw even closer on Sunday. This looks one cut and dried for Adelaide, who are undefeated in nine and trounced title fancies Brisbane on their own home deck last start. Newcastle, on the other hand, are a mess. Sunday's record 6-1 capitulation to Perth suggests there are deeper problems within the squad than just an absence of quality players. Losing suspended captain Nigel Boogaard yet again won't help.Tip: Adelaide